Ninabutterfly | Photo by Cathryn Farnsworth

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Ninabutterfly is a multidisciplinary artist born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. She began her training at the Chicago High School for the Arts under Tracey Franklin and Greer Reed and continued at Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, where she was mentored by Nicole Clarke-Springer, Gary Abbott, and Kevin Iega Jeff. While rooted in concert dance, she also immersed herself in Chicago’s commercial dance scene, performing at Lollapalooza for Tems and Chanelle Tru and at Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash for Baha Banks. This blend of experiences shaped her perspective and propelled her to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance.

At USC Kaufman, Ninabutterfly has performed works by renowned choreographers including Darrell Grand Moultrie, Nina Flagg, and Saleemah E. Knight. She has also trained with artists such as Justin Conte and Sienna Lyons, further developing her voice as both performer and creator.

Her time in Los Angeles has expanded her artistic pursuits into DJing and fashion. She has DJ’d for both USC-sponsored and citywide events, while her love for fashion has led to collaborations in styling and photography. These interdisciplinary explorations continue to deepen her artistic identity.

Ninabutterfly envisions a multifaceted career that merges dance, choreography, music, visual art, and fashion. Guided by authenticity, she embraces the evolution of her craft with joy and curiosity. She strives to serve as a role model who demonstrates that creativity need not be confined to one path but can flourish across many forms of expression.

Nina Outlaw | Photo by Lee Gumbs

Nina Outlaw | Photo by Lee Gumbs

Nina Outlaw | Photo by Cathryn Farnsworth

*This performance reel requires a password. Please contact Elliott Scher at elliotms@usc.edu for access.